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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 8:7 This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/8-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/04_Num_08_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 8:7 - Cleansing the Levites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. 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And so they will purify themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do this by sprinkling them with the water of purification, and have them shave their entire body and wash their clothing. Then they will be ceremonially clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and <i>so</i> make themselves clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and <i>so</i> make themselves clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is what you shall do to them, for their cleansing: sprinkle purifying water on them, and have them use a razor over their whole body, and they shall wash their clothes and cleanse themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Thus you shall do to them, for their cleansing: sprinkle purifying water on them, and let them use a razor over their whole body and wash their clothes, and they will be clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And thus you shall do to them, for their cleansing: <i>sprinkle</i> purifying water on them, and let them use a razor over their whole body, and wash their clothes, and they shall be clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Thus you shall do to them, for their cleansing: <i>sprinkle</i> purifying water on them, and let them use a razor over their whole body and wash their clothes, and they will be clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />This is what you shall do to them to [ceremonially] cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification on them, and let them use a razor over their whole body and wash their clothes, and they will be clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do this to them for their purification: Sprinkle them with the purification water. Have them shave their entire bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is what you must do to them for their purification: Sprinkle them with the purification water. Have them shave their entire bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of expiation upon them, and let them cause a razor to pass over all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and sprinkle them with the water that washes away their sins. Then have them shave their entire bodies and wash their clothes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of expiation upon them, and let them cause a razor to pass over all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />This is what you must do to make them clean: Sprinkle them with water to take away their sins. Make them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. Then they will be clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />in the following way: sprinkle them with the water of purification and have them shave their whole bodies and have them wash their clothes. Then they will be ritually clean. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />This is what you are to do for them in order to purify them: Sprinkle purifying water over them, have them shave their skin, and then have them wash their garments, and they will be purified. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And do this to them to purify them: Sprinkle water of purification on them; then have them shave all their body and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall do this to them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of cleansing on them, let them shave their whole bodies with a razor, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And thus shalt thou do to them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall do this to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of cleansing on them, let them shave their whole bodies with a razor, let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And thus you do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle waters of atonement on them, and they have caused a razor to pass over all their flesh, and have washed their garments, and cleansed themselves,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And thus thou dost to them to cleanse them: sprinkle upon them waters of atonement, and they have caused a razor to pass over all their flesh, and have washed their garments, and cleansed themselves,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thus thou shalt do to them, to cleanse them: sprinkle upon them the water of sin, and they caused a razor to pass over upon all their flesh, and they washed their garments, and they were cleansed.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />According to this rite: Let them be sprinkled with the water of purification, and let them shave all the hairs of their flesh. And when they shall have washed their garments, and are cleansed, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />according to this ritual: Let them be sprinkled with the water of illumination, and let them shave off all the hairs of their body. And when they have washed their garments and have been cleansed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />This is what you shall do to them to cleanse them. Sprinkle them with the water of purification, have them shave their whole bodies and wash their garments, and so cleanse themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus you shall do to them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification on them, have them shave their whole body with a razor and wash their clothes, and so cleanse themselves.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle purifying water upon them, and let them shave all the body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />In this way do to them and purify them: sprinkle upon them the waters of sins and they shall pass a razor on all their flesh and they shall wash their garments and they shall be purified.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them cause a razor to pass over all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And thus shalt thou perform their purification: thou shalt sprinkle them with water of purification, and a razor shall come upon the whole of their body, and they shall wash their garments, and shall be clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/8-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=2816" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/8.htm">Cleansing the Levites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>“Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: wə·ḵōh- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">This is what</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ṯa·‘ă·śeh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">you must do</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2891.htm" title="2891: lə·ṭa·hă·rām (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf:: 3mp) -- To be clean or pure. A primitive root; properly, to be bright; i.e. to be pure.">to cleanse them:</a> <a href="/hebrew/5137.htm" title="5137: haz·zêh (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- To spurt, spatter, sprinkle. A primitive root; to spirt, i.e. Besprinkle.">Sprinkle</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê (N-mpc) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">with the water</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ (N-fs) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">of purification.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: wə·he·‘ĕ·ḇî·rū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">Have them shave</a> <a href="/hebrew/8593.htm" title="8593: ṯa·‘ar (N-ms) -- A razor, sheath. From arah; a knife or razor: also a scabbard."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">their whole</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bə·śā·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">bodies</a> <a href="/hebrew/3526.htm" title="3526: wə·ḵib·bə·sū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To wash. A primitive root; to trample; hence, to wash, whether literal or figurative.">and wash</a> <a href="/hebrew/899.htm" title="899: ḇiḡ·ḏê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage. From bagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage.">their clothes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2891.htm" title="2891: wə·hiṭ·ṭe·hā·rū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To be clean or pure. A primitive root; properly, to be bright; i.e. to be pure.">and so purify themselves.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Then have them take a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/14-8.htm">Leviticus 14:8-9</a></span><br />The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be ceremonially clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days. / On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair—his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/29-4.htm">Exodus 29:4</a></span><br />Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/8-6.htm">Leviticus 8:6</a></span><br />Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Hebrews 9:10</a></span><br />They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-10.htm">John 13:10</a></span><br />Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25</a></span><br />I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-7.htm">Psalm 51:7</a></span><br />Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-11.htm">1 Corinthians 6:11</a></span><br />And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5</a></span><br />He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-14.htm">Revelation 7:14</a></span><br />“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16</a></span><br />Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-1.htm">2 Corinthians 7:1</a></span><br />Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-26.htm">Ephesians 5:26</a></span><br />to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Hebrews 10:22</a></span><br />let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/22-16.htm">Acts 22:16</a></span><br />And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And thus shall you do to them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying on them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.</p><p class="hdg">sprinkle</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/8-6.htm">Leviticus 8:6</a></b></br> And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/14-7.htm">Leviticus 14:7</a></b></br> And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/52-15.htm">Isaiah 52:15</a></b></br> So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for <i>that</i> which had not been told them shall they see; and <i>that</i> which they had not heard shall they consider.</p><p class="hdg">water</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/19-9.htm">Numbers 19:9,10,13,17-19</a></b></br> And a man <i>that is</i> clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay <i>them</i> up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it <i>is</i> a purification for sin… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/51-7.htm">Psalm 51:7</a></b></br> Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Hebrews 9:13</a></b></br> For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:</p><p class="hdg">let them shave.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/14-8.htm">Leviticus 14:8,9</a></b></br> And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days… </p><p class="hdg">wash their</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/19-7.htm">Numbers 19:7,8,10,19</a></b></br> Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/31-20.htm">Numbers 31:20</a></b></br> And purify all <i>your</i> raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' <i>hair</i>, and all things made of wood.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Genesis 35:2</a></b></br> Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that <i>were</i> with him, Put away the strange gods that <i>are</i> among you, and be clean, and change your garments:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/14-17.htm">Blade</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/numbers/6-11.htm">Body</a> <a href="/numbers/6-25.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/numbers/8-6.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/numbers/8-6.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/numbers/6-9.htm">Cleansing</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-16.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/numbers/6-18.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/1_john/4-10.htm">Expiation</a> <a href="/numbers/4-14.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/numbers/6-19.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/numbers/7-86.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/leviticus/12-6.htm">Purification</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-52.htm">Purify</a> <a href="/leviticus/12-6.htm">Purifying</a> <a href="/numbers/6-5.htm">Razor</a> <a href="/exodus/20-25.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/numbers/6-18.htm">Shave</a> <a href="/numbers/7-87.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-6.htm">Sprinkle</a> <a href="/numbers/6-2.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/numbers/5-23.htm">Wash</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-16.htm">Washed</a> <a href="/numbers/5-27.htm">Water</a> <a href="/numbers/4-33.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/23-25.htm">Blade</a> <a href="/numbers/14-29.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/numbers/9-6.htm">Body</a> <a href="/numbers/8-13.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/numbers/8-15.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/numbers/8-15.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/numbers/19-17.htm">Cleansing</a> <a href="/numbers/8-21.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/numbers/8-21.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/numbers/9-13.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">Expiation</a> <a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/numbers/31-20.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/numbers/10-21.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/numbers/19-9.htm">Purification</a> <a href="/numbers/8-21.htm">Purify</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-4.htm">Purifying</a> <a href="/judges/13-5.htm">Razor</a> <a href="/numbers/11-5.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm">Shave</a> <a href="/numbers/8-8.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/numbers/18-17.htm">Sprinkle</a> <a href="/numbers/8-21.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/numbers/8-21.htm">Wash</a> <a href="/numbers/8-21.htm">Washed</a> <a href="/numbers/19-7.htm">Water</a> <a href="/numbers/8-9.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/8-1.htm">How the lamps are to be lighted</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/8-5.htm">The consecration of the Levites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/8-23.htm">The age and time of their service</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>This is what you must do to cleanse them:</b><br>This directive is given to Moses concerning the Levites, who were set apart for service in the Tabernacle. The cleansing ritual signifies their consecration and readiness to serve God. The concept of cleansing is central in the Old Testament, symbolizing spiritual purification and preparation for holy service. This mirrors the New Testament call for believers to be spiritually cleansed and set apart for God's work.<p><b>Sprinkle them with the water of purification:</b><br>The water of purification likely refers to water mixed with the ashes of a red heifer, as described in <a href="/numbers/19.htm">Numbers 19</a>. This ritual underscores the importance of purification from sin and impurity, a theme that runs throughout Scripture. The sprinkling of water can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament practice of baptism, symbolizing the washing away of sin and the beginning of a new life dedicated to God.<p><b>Have them shave their whole bodies:</b><br>Shaving the entire body was a symbolic act of removing impurity and starting anew. This practice is similar to the Nazirite vow, where shaving marked the end of a period of consecration (<a href="/numbers/6-18.htm">Numbers 6:18</a>). It signifies a complete transformation and dedication to God, paralleling the Christian concept of becoming a new creation in Christ (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>).<p><b>and wash their clothes:</b><br>Washing clothes is a recurring biblical symbol for purification and righteousness. In ancient cultures, clean garments often represented purity and readiness to enter God's presence. This act is echoed in <a href="/revelation/7-14.htm">Revelation 7:14</a>, where the saints have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, symbolizing spiritual purity through Christ's sacrifice.<p><b>and so purify themselves:</b><br>The purification process for the Levites was both physical and spiritual, preparing them for their sacred duties. This comprehensive cleansing reflects the holistic nature of God's requirements for holiness. It points to the ultimate purification available through Jesus Christ, who cleanses believers from all unrighteousness (1 <a href="/john/1-9.htm">John 1:9</a>), enabling them to serve God in spirit and truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levites.htm">The Levites</a></b><br>The tribe of Levi was set apart for religious duties and service in the Tabernacle. This verse describes the purification process for the Levites as they are consecrated for their sacred duties.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>As the leader of the Israelites, Moses was responsible for overseeing the consecration and purification of the Levites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tabernacle.htm">The Tabernacle</a></b><br>The central place of worship for the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. The Levites were tasked with its care and service.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/water_of_purification.htm">Water of Purification</a></b><br>A special water used for ceremonial cleansing, symbolizing spiritual purification and readiness for service.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting for the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, where they received the Law and instructions for worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_purification.htm">The Importance of Purification</a></b><br>The purification of the Levites underscores the necessity of being spiritually clean before serving God. This principle remains relevant for Christians today, emphasizing the need for repentance and holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_cleansing.htm">Symbolism of Cleansing</a></b><br>The physical acts of shaving and washing symbolize deeper spiritual truths. Just as the Levites were cleansed outwardly, believers are called to seek inward purity through Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/service_and_dedication.htm">Service and Dedication</a></b><br>The Levites' preparation for service highlights the importance of dedication and readiness in serving God. Christians are encouraged to prepare themselves spiritually for their roles in God's kingdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_leadership.htm">Community and Leadership</a></b><br>Moses' role in the purification process illustrates the importance of godly leadership and community support in spiritual growth and service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/old_testament_foreshadowing.htm">Old Testament Foreshadowing</a></b><br>The rituals of purification point forward to the ultimate cleansing provided by Jesus. Understanding these connections enriches our appreciation of Christ's work.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_shave_the_body_in_numbers_8_7_evidence.htm">Why does Numbers 8:7 require shaving the entire body for purification, and is there any archaeological evidence of this practice? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_hyssop_mean_in_the_bible.htm">What does hyssop symbolize in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_num_8_10_align_with_other_rites.htm">How does the ritual laying on of hands in Numbers 8:10 align or conflict with other priestly consecration rites in the Torah? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_51_7__hyssop_vs._modern_cleansing.htm">Psalm 51:7 - Does the idea of being cleansed with hyssop conflict with modern understandings of physical purification and disease prevention?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">Water of purifying.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">water of sin, </span>or, <span class= "ital">of sin-offering </span>(Hebrew, <span class= "ital">hattath</span>)<span class= "ital">. </span>As in the case of the holy water, to which reference is made in <a href="/numbers/6-17.htm" title="And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread: the priest shall offer also his meat offering, and his drink offering.">Numbers 6:17</a>, so here also there is no explanation given of the particular water which was to be used in cleansing the Levites. The bullock which was appointed to be offered as a sin-offering at the consecration of Aaron and his sons (<a href="/exodus/29-14.htm" title="But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shall you burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.">Exodus 29:14</a>; <a href="/leviticus/8-14.htm" title="And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bullock for the sin offering.">Leviticus 8:14</a>) is described by the same word which is here employed (in the Authorised Version, <span class= "ital">sin-offering</span>); and in <a href="/leviticus/4-14.htm" title="When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.">Leviticus 4:14</a>, the sacrifice which was appointed to be offered for the expiation of sin (in the Authorised Version, <span class= "ital">the sin</span>) is also spoken of under the same name; so also is the sin-offering of the Levites in <a href="/numbers/8-8.htm" title="Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shall you take for a sin offering.">Numbers 8:8</a> of this chapter. The sin-water evidently denotes the water appointed to be used in the purification of sin; and the reference is probably (as in <a href="/numbers/6-17.htm" title="And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread: the priest shall offer also his meat offering, and his drink offering.">Numbers 6:17</a>) to the water which was kept in the brazen laver in front of the Tabernacle. It is possible, however, that some direction which is not here recorded may have been given respecting putting the ashes of the sin-offering into water. (Comp. <a href="/numbers/19-9.htm" title="And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.">Numbers 19:9</a>, where the water of purification is described under the same name: "it is a purification for sin." Literally, it is <span class= "ital">hattath.</span>) In this case, however, the sin-offering, which is not mentioned until <a href="/numbers/8-8.htm" title="Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shall you take for a sin offering.">Numbers 8:8</a>, must have been sacrificed previously to the sprinkling. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Sprinkle water of purifying upon them.</span> Rather, "water of sin," so called because it had to do with the removal of sin, just as "water of separation" (<a href="/numbers/19-9.htm">Numbers 19:9, 13</a>) was that which delivered from the legal state of separation. It is not likely to have been prepared in the same manner as this latter (<a href="/numbers/19-9.htm">Numbers 19:9</a>), both because of the great difference between the two cases, and because the ordinance of the red heifer belonged to a later period. Nor is it likely to have resembled that used for cleansing the leper, or the water of jealousy. But it is rash to conclude that, because we do not read any special directions for its preparation, it must, therefore, have been nothing trot water from the laver which stood in the outer court. That water appears, indeed, to be called "holy water" in <a href="/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17</a>, which is intelligible enough; but no probable reason can be shown why it should be called "sin water;" it would seem as reasonable to call the water which our Lord turned into wine "sill water," because it stood there "for the purifying of the Jews." It is better to say that we do not know, because it is not recorded, how this water was prepared, or how it corresponded to its name. The Levites who were to be sprinkled would seem to have included all the males, some twenty thousand in number; because it was <span class="accented">all</span> the males, and not only those between thirty and fifty, who were to be dedicated in place of the first-born. In any case it was, of course, impossible that Moses could have sprinkled them individually (see below on verse 11). <span class="cmt_word">Let them shave all their flesh.</span> Literally, "let them cause the razor to pass over their whole body." Some distinguish between <span class="hebrew">עָבַר תּעַר</span> here and <span class="hebrew">גִלַּה</span> in <a href="/leviticus/14-8.htm">Leviticus 14:8, 9</a>, as though the latter meant a much more complete shaving off of the hair than the former; but this difference is doubtful; the fact that the whole body as well as the head was to be shaved implies that it was more than a mere cutting short of the hair. <span class="cmt_word">Let them wash their clothes.</span> This was constantly enjoined on all the faithful as a preparation for any special religious service (see on Exodus 19:10). <span class="cmt_word">And so make themselves clean.</span> The shaving and washing had, no doubt, a symbolic significance, but their primary object was simply and obviously personal cleanliness; it is the hair and the clothes that chiefly harbour impurities, especially in a hot climate. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/8-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">This is what</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכֹֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵōh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like this, thus, here, now</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you must do</span><br /><span class="heb">תַעֲשֶׂ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·‘ă·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to cleanse them:</span><br /><span class="heb">לְטַֽהֲרָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ṭa·hă·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2891.htm">Strong's 2891: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be clean or pure</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Sprinkle</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֵּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5137.htm">Strong's 5137: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spurt, spatter, sprinkle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with the water</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of purification.</span><br /><span class="heb">חַטָּ֑את</span> <span class="translit">(ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> </span><span class="str2">An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Have them shave</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהֶעֱבִ֤ירוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·he·‘ĕ·ḇî·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their whole</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bodies</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשָׂרָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·śā·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and wash</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכִבְּס֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵib·bə·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3526.htm">Strong's 3526: </a> </span><span class="str2">To trample, to wash</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their clothes,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִגְדֵיהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḇiḡ·ḏê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_899.htm">Strong's 899: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and so purify themselves.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִטֶּהָֽרוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hiṭ·ṭe·hā·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2891.htm">Strong's 2891: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be clean or pure</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">OT Law: Numbers 8:7 You shall do this to them (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/8-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 8:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 8:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/8-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 8:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 8:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>